Up in Smoke!

07-01-2011

José Eugenio Arias outside the restaurant Source: efe

The Asador Guadalmina is allowing customers to smoke, in defiance of the new laws

A Marbella restaurant has taken a stand against the new anti-smoking legislation and is allowing smoking on the premises, has been warned by the regional government that it must comply with the law. The Asador Guadalmina has stated that it is taking up its rights as a private business and will not be applying the law. The restaurant was reported by the local police on Monday.

Owner, José Eugenio Arias, has said that he will try any legal means he can find to allow his clients to continue smoking on the premises. One possibility he said he may consider is to create a gastronomic club, where only members would be allowed entry. Arias has also called for business owners in the sector to join forces against the new legislation and is collecting signatures for a petition against the law.

Arias has been warned by the regional government that he will be fined for ignoring the ban on smoking, which could be as much as 10,000 €. The Asador Guadalmina is a popular lunch spot for local business people, as well as wealthy tourists from Madrid during the holidays.